Washing and drying rack for venetian blinds



June 22, 1948. R. L. JACOBS WASHING AND DRYING RACK FOR VENETIAN BLINDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Sept. so, 1947 IN VENTOR. Robert L. dacobs June 22, 1948.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. R0 bar a- L'. Jacobs A tic "flags Patented June 22, 1948 -WASHING l AND DRYING :RAGKiFOR VENETIAN BLINDS Robert L. Jacob's;- Cleveland, Ohio Application September 30, 19471, SerialNM-Wflfltfi 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-25.1)

n 1 This invention relates to a rack'for supporting Venetian blinds, window shades, and similar objects while they are being painted, washed, *dried or re-strung. The rack may be supported on an overhead joist oron-a clothesline, and is y adjustable, portable, detachable, and collapsible.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, -but it is understood that-modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the new and improved rack, with a "Venetian blind hung thereon;

Figure-2 is a perspectiveview of-one side of the rack;

Figure -3 is a perspective'view o'f'theother' and complementary side ofthe rack;

Fig-ure 4is a perspe'ctive view of a portion of the rack' showing an attached elementior'suspending the rack from a clothesline;

Figure Bis-a perspective view of'the element for suspendingthe rack from a clothesline;

Figure 6 isa front elevation of a ground anchor that may be used to keep the Venetian'blinddrom swaying; and

Figure 7 is a transverse cross-section on the :line 1-"! of Figure 2.

With continued reference to the drawings, an elongated rail, "generally indicated at HLwhich is preferably of generally rectangular cross-section has attached to the opposite end portions thereof respective'bracket parts I I.

While the rail lfl may be provided of different materials and in di'flerent'sizes, it has *been found convenient-to use a wooden rail approximately eight feet long, two'- and-a-half inches wide, and seven-eigh'ths o f' an inch thick, this rail being provided with a pair of the opposite end'portions thereof which slots are substantially in alignment witheach other are substantially equally spaced from the longitudinalcenter of the rail andterminate 'shortof the end porti'ons ofrthe rail to 'which thebracket parts II are secured.

"Each of the bracket-parts II is conveniently provided as a one-piece member of" channel- -shapedcross-section "having a closed end 13 apertured to receive fastening elements [4; such a as screws or rivets, by means of which thebra'cket is-ssecur'ed atoI-the correspon'ding :end. portion tha'rail ill;- a-sweb:2portion; :l:5,having 'azdongiztudinals fslo't; herein and flanges ltl ialongsiahe 'tcorresponding edgesror:the :web and closed iElId 13,

longitudinal slots [2 in .structurexandxhaving a;

:washer is disposedkbetweem surface of: thecweb 2 the flanges abeing directed toward the adjacent end of thecrai-lwl ll.

"The rail -l-0-- may be suspended from any-suitable overhead supporting structure such as the joists 11 8 of a basement ceiling, or from rings secured in: a-ceiling.str-ucture, or from-a suitable stretched -strand such l as .:a :clothesline; wire, or

cable.

Where the rail is-susp endedirom a solid overhead: structureof a 'generally permanent character, such as one 1 or: more joists t8,- the bracket partszl l areadjustably secur-edtocomplementary bracket; parts I:9 to prov-idez-adfiustable supporting brackets disposed one atv'each end or the-rail. The complementary "bracket parts rl -S are similar in shape toithebracket parts I l, each-comprisinga {member of :chan-nel-shaped, cross-section having a closed end; 2-0 *aperturedto recei-ve:suitable:iastening elements :such nails or screws, byzmeans-of *which the complementary bracket parts are rigidly secured to a: suitableoverhead longitudinal-lyeslottedzweb x-"portion 2| and flanges-'22 along the correspondg edges of %the web portion and the closed end 120. Thejcomplementary; bracket parts I 9; areso dimensionedithat theiflangesvthereoi are slidably received between thefflanges- Lof the corresponding bracket :parts 1 H =so that thebracket parts H and theacomplementaryf bracket :paltslS: may be telescopically associated with -the slots in ;the :respective web portions thereof inr'registry.

Each complementary -.bracket-part 1:9 is releasably *secured in: adjusted position relative to its associated'bracket part: I I by means of Iasuitable fastener which may'conveniently comprise a bolt 23 havinga square-'shoulderareceived in the slots of the bracket part web portions and'a wing nut 24- threadednonto ;the--bo 1t. :-Preferably a-suitable the head of the bolt and; the tadjacent surface of thenweb' portion of thexbracket part H and a similar washer is 'disposed between the wing= -nut:-24;-ahd the'adjacent portion ot the complementary 'bracketipartt l9.

When it is desired to suspend the rack from rings-worrfrom1arsuitabl gstrand, ring or strandengagingihooks, asgenerallyindicated at 25,-and particularlyillustrated,in' Figures 4 and 5, are

substituted forthe complementary bracket parts 5 iQ. "Each .of the:hooks- 25 includes a generally rectangular-base portion .26 having end flanges 21 gspaced :aparta :distance such that they are slidably received abetween the flanges I 1 of r the associatedbracketmarts: H :and "provided-with a $55 rsquare aperture-92B 2101':

thee-fastening. ,bolt 23. 1A

, bearing upon the top plate re-curved hook portion 29 extends upwardly from the intermediate portion of the base 26 to engage a supporting ring or strand, the shank of the hook portion being provided as a continuation of one of the end flanges as clearly illustrated in Figure 5, so that the hook portion is substantially parallel to the end flanges 21. The upper bracket parts I9 and hooks .25 are thus equivalent rail-supporting elements.

The rail It may thus be supported from a permanent overhead structure such as the joists of a basement ceiling, and when so supported, is adjustable in height, by relative movement of the associated bracket parts and 2|, or may be supported at a convenient height from a line or cable or suitable supporting rings.

A pair of hangers, generally indicated at 30,

depend from the respective opposite end portions of the rail I 3 and are adjustably movable lengthwise of the rail. Each of these hangers is a member of channel-shaped cross-section having an apertured closed end 3|, a web portion 32 disposed substantially at right angles to the closed end and provided with series of spacedapart apertures, two series of apertures33 being illustrated to provide spaced-apart pairs of apertures with the two apertures in each pair in alignment transversely of the web portion 32, the apertures preferably being square to receive the square shoulders'of a pair of carriage bolts which will be later described. Flanges 34 extend along the corresponding edges of the closed end 3| and web 32 to reinforce the structure and the flange at one side of the closed end 3| is extended upwardly and then perpendicularly to provide a top plate 35 overlying and substantially parallel to the closed end 3| and spaced from the closed end 3| a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the rail H], as is clearly illustrated in Figure '7. A carriage bolt the closed end 3| of the hanger and the top plate 35 and through the slot l2 in the rail l0, prefer= ably having its head disposed below the closed end 3| and a wing nut 31 threaded thereon and 35. Suitable washers are preferably interposedbetween the bolt head and the closed end 3| and between the wing nut 31 and the top plate 35 and the aperture in the closed end 3| is preferably made square or noncircular to receive the non-circular shoulder of the bolt 36 to restrain the bolt against rotation relative to the hanger and rail. By loosening the corresponding wing nut 31 the hangers'may be moved along the rail to any position of adjustment within the longitudinal limits of slot l2 and may be clamped in adjusted position by tightening the wing nut 31.

A pair of seats, generally indicated at 38, are supported on the hangers 30 at the inner side of the hangers by means providing for the adjustable positioning of the seats lengthwise of the hangers and for adjustment of the seats, themselves, to securely clamp the top or supporting member of a Venetian blind or similar structure therein.

Each of the seats comprises two operatively associated members 39 and 4|]. The member 39, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3,comprises a substantially horizontal base portion 4| of elongated rectangular shape, a side 42 extending along one longitudinal edge of the baseand provided with a longitudinal slot 43 therein and an end 44 at one end of the base 4| disposed substantially at right angles to both the base 4| and the side 42. The member 40 comprises aside 45 36 extends through g seat ends 44 and able features having a longitudinal slot 46 therein and having at one end an end portion ll" disposed substantially at right angles thereto. When the members 39 and 4|) are in assembled relationship, as illustrated in Figure 3, the sides l2 and 45 are superimposed with the slots 43 and 43 in registry with each other and the two ends 33 and t? are substantially parallel and opposed to each other at opposite ends of the seats.

"A pair of bolts 43 extend through the registering slots t3 and 45 in the seat members 39 and 4|! and through corresponding apertures 33 in the corresponding hanger 30. The heads of the bolts areprer'erably disposed within the seats and Wing nuts 49 are threaded onto the ends of the bolts projecting from the side of the hanger remote after the ends are properly spaced the ing nuts may be tightened to hold the seat member ends in the desired position of adjustment relative to each other.

In using the device, with the rail lfl suspended from a solid overhead structure by the bracket parts II and I9, or from. rings or a strand by the bracket parts II' and hooks 25, as described above, and with the hangers 30 depending from the rail and the seats 38 secured to the hangers, one end of the top or supporting bar 53 of a Venetian blind, generally indicated at 5| in Figure 1, is placed upon the-base ll of one of the seats 38. With the wing nuts 39 loosened, the seat members are adjusted until the seat ends 44 and 4! firmly contact the opposite sides of the end portion of the bar 50. With the corresponding wing nut 37 loosened the opposite hanger 33 is then moved longitudinally of the rail ll] until the base 4| of the corresponding seat is disposed beneath the opposite end portion of the bar-50 and, with the corresponding wing nut 49 loosened the seat members are adjusted until the corresponding 41 firmly engage'the side of this end portion of the bar 50. The wing nuts 31 and 49 are then tightened and the supporting bar 53 of the Venetian blind will be firmly secured at its ends in the seat 38 and the blind will be supportedfor washing, drying, or repair. As explained above, the adjustably associated'bracket parts and 9 may be moved relative to each other to adjust the vertical height of. the rail it and the seats 38 may be raised or lowered relative to the hanger 30 to further adjust the vertical height of the seat to condition the rack to various operating conditions including the elevation of the overhead supporting'structure the length of the blind to be supported.- and the height of the "operator, an optimum adjustment being obtainable for these various conditions by the adjusthereinabove described. The rack is also adjustable for blinds of different widths so that Venetian blinds of substantially any conventional width may be operatively supported thereby.

The'rack may be used indoors or out-of-doors as may be desired, the outdoor use being especially facilitated by the .provision of the hooks 25 whereby the rack. can be supported from a ense-gate ciothe'slineoran equivalent supporting'structure.

*When" Venetian "blinds" are supported %-by "the 'rack'mut-"df-doors the -wind'may- "have atendency to sway *or :swing the blinds *to an undesirable extent. "This tendency -is-overcome by the pro- *vi'sion of suitable anchoring-means, particularly illustratedd-nFigure fiyand disclosed in operative position-in broken linesin-Figure 1.

Such anchoring means may conveniently com- "prise a pair of" pegs, generally indicated at 52, "having pointedends "53- and transverse" apertures "54 through the'opposite 'endportionsthereof, and corresponding "cords 55' threaded respectively through the apertures "-54" and each having atone end, thereoi' a-loop-BBengageable-withthe lower- 'most ba'r B-W "of the' blind. The pegs "52 "may be driveniintd'thwgroun'd -adj acent the ends -of the lower bafiil "of thepblind, th'e cord loops 56 en- :gaged-w'ith the-adjacent ends of the lower bar "51 and the cords thengpulledthrough the apertures *54'until they-are in a t-aut condition and appropriately knotted to prevent, them from runningback through the respective apertures.

*As' stated "above, the rail I is preferably provided-asapelongated member of wood or some similarlight-weight material. The bracket'parts "H "and 'iflythe hangers 3t, .and thewmembers of the 'seat 38 are,.pr.eferably formed of metal of a non 'corrosive nature or are suitably plated to prevent corrosion thereof. While these members may be formed of sheet metal, if desired, they are preferably formed as castings and. it has been found that aluminum castings provide entirely satisfactory brackets, hangers, and seat members for thepurposes described,

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of vertically-adjustable brackets, a horizontal rail secured to the brackets, and a pair of hangers horizontally adjustable on the rail, said hangers being adapted to support a Venetian blind or similar article.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of vertically-telescoping brackets, is horizontal rail secured to the bottoms of the brackets, a pair of hangers extending from the rail, means for moving the hangers along the rail, and means for vertically adjusting the hangers with respect to the rail, said hangers being adapted to support a Venetian blind.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of brackets, each bracket including an upper flanged part attachable to a support and a lower flanged part telescopically adjustable with respect to the upper part, a horizontal rail secured to the lower bracket parts, a pair of hangers horizontally movable along the rail, and a seat vertically and transversely adjustable on each hanger, said seats being adapted to hold the ends of a top bar of a Venetian blind.

4. A rack for supporting Venetian blinds and similar devices for washing, drying or repair thereof, comprising a pair of adjustable two-part brackets, the upper parts of which are adapted to be rigidly secured to a permanent overhead structure, an elongated, longitudinally slotted rail attached at its ends to the lower parts of said brackets, a pair of hangers depending from and attached to said rail for movement longitudinally thereof, and a pair of adjustable seats secured one to the inner side of each hanger.

, 5. A rack for supporting Venetian blinds and similar devices for washing, drying or repair thereof, comprising a pair of bracket parts, a pair of elements adjustably secured one'to each able seats secured "one cured at its oppos'te =-ends respectively "to said bradket parts, a pair of hangers'suspendedfrom said-rail, means including adjustable elements extending "throughsaid slotted rail securing said hangers to said rail whereby said hangers can be 1 moved to diiferenupositions of adjustment 'longitudinally'o'fsaid "rail, and a pair of adjustto the side of each hanger.

6w!!! rack ior supporting'Venetianblindsand ilar devices for'washing, drying or" repair parts, a

ends respectively to said said-rail, means including adjustableelements 'exterrding'through said slotted rail securing said hangers to said'rail whereby'said hangers can bemoved to different 'positionsof adjustment longitudinallyci said'railyanda pair ofadjustable seats secured one-td the inner side of each hanger, each of said hangers comprising a member of 1 channel-shaped cross-section having in the webportion thereof "at least "one series ofapertures in which said apertures are spaced respectively different distances from said rail and each adjustable seat comprises a first member including an elongated base, a side extending along one longitudinal edge of said base, disposed substantially at right angles to said base and having a longitudinal slot therein, and an end at one end of said base disposed substantially at right angles to said base and said side, and a second member including a side having a longitudinal slot therein and an end at one end of said side and disposed substantially at right angles thereto, said first and second members having their sides overlapped and overlying the inner side of the respective hanger we and a screw fastener extending through said hanger web and the sides of said seat members securing said seat members in adjusted position on said hanger and relative to each other.

'1. A rack for supporting Venetian blinds and similar devices for washing, drying, or repair thereof, comprising a pair of bracket parts, a pair of elements adjustably secured one to each bracket part and connectable to a supporting structure to suspend said bracket parts therefrom, an elongated, longitudinal slotted rail secured at its opposite ends respectively to said bracket parts, a pair of hangers suspended from said rail, means including adjustable elements extending through said slotted rail securing said hangers to said rail whereby said hangers can be moved to difierent positions of adjustment longitudinally of said rail, and a pair of adjustable seats secured one to the inner side of each hanger, each of said bracket parts comprising a member of channel-shaped cross-section having a closed end apertured to receive fasteners securing said bracket part to said rail and a longitudinally-slotted web portion disposed substantially at right angles to said closed end, and each of said rack-suspending elements comprising a bracket part of channel-shaped cross-section complementary to and with said first-mentioned bracket part, each of said complementary bracket parts having a closed telescopically associated end apertured to receive fastenersfor securing said complementary bracket parts to an overhead structure, and a longtudinally-slotted web portion disposed substantially at right angles to said closed end, and a screw fastener extending through the slots in said web portions to secure said bracket parts in adjusted position relative to each other.

8. A rack for supporting Venetian blinds and similar devices for washing, drying or repair thereof, comprising a pair of bracket parts, a pair of elements adjustably secured one to each bracket part and connectable to a supporting structure to suspend said bracket parts therefrom, an elongated, longitudinally slotted rail secured at its opposite ends respectively to said bracket parts, a pair of hangers suspended from said rail, means including adjustable elements extending through said slotted rail securing said hangers to said rail whereby said hangers can be moved to difierent positions of adjustment longitudinally of said rail, and a pair of adjustable seats secured one to the inner side of each hanger, each of said bracket parts comprising a member of channel-shaped cross-section having a closed end apertured to receive fasteners securing said bracket part to said rail and a longitudinallyslotted web portion disposed substantially at right angles to said closed end, and each of said racksuspending elements comprising a hook having an apertured base portion provided with end flanges and a re-curved hook portion extending from the intermediate'part of said base portion to engage a supporting ring or strand, and a fastening element extending through said hook base portion and the slotted web of said bracket part to secure said hook to said bracket part.

9. A rack for supporting Venetian blinds and similar devices for washing, drying or repair thereof, comprising a pair of bracket parts, a pair of elements adjustably secured one to each bracket part and connectable to a supporting structure to suspend said bracket parts therefrom, an elongated, longitudinally slotted rail secured at its oppositev ends respectively to said bracket parts, a pair of hangers suspended from said raiL. means including adjustable elements extending through said slottedrail securing said hangers to said rail whereby said hangerscan be moved to difierent positions of adjustment longitudinally of said rail, and a pair of adjustable seats secured one to the inner side of each hanger, said rail comprising an elongated member of generally rectangular cross-section having a pair of longitudinal slots therethrough disposed substantially in alignment with each other and substantially equally spaced from the longitudinal center of said rail.

ROBERT L. JACOBS. 

